And David said,

"The LORD who delivered me

from the paw of the lion

and the paw of the bear

will deliver me from

   the hand of this Philistine."

             1 Samuel 17. 37

(We all struggle with something.

We all face Philistines

       in one overwhelming way

                     or another,

something we dare not

       face without God.

And when we are in

   those paralyzing moments

   or seasons

   or situations

   or ambushes,

            remember God.

We have seen too much,

we have experienced

     His Presence too often,

to question God in this.

Every day

  is a story of His faithfulness.

Not just past tense,

             but now.)

O LORD,

May we not rely

on our own strength

                or understanding.

       But on You.

You are not just with us,

but You are in this.

This harrowing experience

    is not the end of the story,

but only

     the most exciting part

not just when

   You triumph in this

    and reveal Your glory,

but You, O Almighty God,

          defeat our fears.

We do not just learn

           trust You more,

   but come to know You

in even deeper dimensions.